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Non-Transient Non-Community Water System · PWS SD4680046

Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Keystone, South Dakota 57751 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 4,100 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

4,100
People served
68
EPA violations
63
Health-based
3 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 68 drinking-water violations at Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 93% of them health-based - below the South Dakota per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds.

68
Total EPA violations on record
93%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
4,100
People served by this system
3
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a federal-owned non-transient non-community water system that delivers drinking water to 4,100 residents in Keystone, South Dakota (Pennington County) through 19 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 68 total violations for this system , of which 63 (93%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 5 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2022.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Arsenic, recorded in 63 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 3 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 20.8 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across South Dakota, EPA tracks 654 public water systems serving 915,901 people, with 56,254 cumulative violations and 8,399 health-based violations on record. About 92% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 86 violations. Statewide, 42 of 49 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (85.7%).

Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial's 68 violations sit below the South Dakota average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

3 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
4,100
Total Violations
68
Health-Based Violations
63
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Non-Transient Non-Community
Owner Type
Federal
Connections
19
County
Pennington
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
63
Monitoring Violations
5
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Arsenic MCL 63 2011
Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 3 2022
Coliform (TCR) MR 2 2010

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 5 of 58 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
NMeFOSAA 6/14/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 6/14/2023 3.20 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFHpA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 6/14/2023 20.80 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 6/14/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 6/14/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 6/14/2023 9.80 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFOA 6/14/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/14/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/14/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 6/14/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 6/14/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 6/14/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 6/14/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 6/14/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 6/14/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 3/18/2024 10.50 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFOS 3/18/2024 10.60 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFTrDA 11/7/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 11/7/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 11/7/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 11/7/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 11/7/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 11/7/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 11/7/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 11/7/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 11/7/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 11/7/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 11/7/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 11/7/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 11/7/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID SD4680046 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

South Dakota Drinking Water Authority

South Dakota's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find SD regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule MON 3 SDWIS / SD4680046 / 8000
2011 Arsenic MCL 63 SDWIS / SD4680046 / 1005
2010 Coliform (TCR) MR 2 SDWIS / SD4680046 / 3100

How Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial South Dakota avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 68 86 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 63 12.8 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 3 compounds 85.7% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 4,100 1,400 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 654 regulated public water systems in South Dakota.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial water safe to drink?
Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial (PWS ID: SD4680046) has 68 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 3 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 4,100 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial serve?
Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial serves 4,100 people in Keystone, South Dakota. It is a Federal-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 19 service connections.
What type of violations does Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial have?
Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial has 68 total violations: 63 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 5 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds in Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial's water supply: PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial use?
Nps-Mount Rushmore National Memorial uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Non-Transient Non-Community Water System, serving the same people for at least 6 months per year.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.